Crikey – March 2018 already! Seems like we only just got through Xmas!! Hope everybody is happy and well, enjoyed the warmer days and coped with the fallout from Cyclone Gita…!

Lots to be going on with here – not least of which is the superb second album from Lyttleton fave Marlon Williams, entitled “Make Way For Love”, on CD and nifty red vinyl. Dropping the country/ Americana shtick that coloured his self titled debut, the new record is one of our favourite thigs – the good old fashioned heartbreak album! Sad songs about lost love and damaged dreams? Count us in, for sure!! You may also see MW and his band, the Yarra Benders at the Hunter Lounge on the 19th May, with special guest the marvellous Ms Julia Deans!!!

This week also sees the release of the first album in a decade from the Kim Deal fronted Breeders – here, with the classic “Last Splash”-era line up of her sister Kelley, bassist Josephine Wiggs and drummer Jim MacPherson reunited to bring us the terrific “All Nerve”, and a return to their classic formula of melody and noise – heartwarming, and an absolutely storming return to form!

There is also a redux, 3CD version of the iconic “How Is The Air Up There?” compilation of NZ garage/ fuzz/ psych rock, featuring the cream of our late 60’s rock and roll (including the Blue Stars magnificent “Social End Product”!), along with the compilation accompanying the 2018 WOMAD festival, the latest salvo from Glasgow’s Franz Ferdinand, entitled “Always Ascending”, along with the 9th album from German ambient/ electrononic composer Nils Frahm, “All Melody”, and a long time coming 2CD best of set from Cantabrian faves Salmonella Dub, “Commercial Grates”.

There are also a plethora of other new and second hand LP and CD titles, tee shirts, DVDs, and a swag of posters perfect for tarting up the walls of that new flat… get on it!!!

And – the Festival of the Arts is on, and town is abuzz with creative energy and excitement.